Loyola vs. Messiah University

Comparable Facts

Compare Loyola University Chicago in Chicago, IL with Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Loyola University Chicago is larger than Messiah University based on total student enrollment (17,384 students vs. 3,373 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Loyola University Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Messiah University is in Mechanicsburg, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Loyola University Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Messiah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Loyola University Chicago 13:1; Messiah University 12:1.

Loyola vs. Messiah University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Loyola or Messiah University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Messiah University than Loyola ($29,408 vs. $39,147).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah University are 23% lower than at Loyola University Chicago ($13,098 vs. $17,010).
• Loyola University Chicago is 27.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Messiah University (about $11,470 more per year; $53,710.00 vs. $42,240.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.2% higher at Loyola than at Messiah University (about $11,470 more per year; $53,710.00 vs. $42,240.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Messiah University than at Loyola University Chicago (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Loyola University Chicago students is 8.4% larger than aid received by Messiah University students ($28,816 vs. $26,576).

Loyola vs. Messiah University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Loyola or Messiah University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Messiah University and Loyola.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Loyola University Chicago (1270) is 40 points higher than at Messiah University (1230).
• Incoming Loyola students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (29 vs. 28 at Messiah University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Loyola University Chicago 1170/1360; Messiah University 1110/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Loyola University Chicago 27/32; Messiah University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Loyola - Test optional; Messiah University - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman Messiah University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Loyola (3.71).
• Loyola has a higher acceptance rate (81.6%) than Messiah University (79%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at Loyola vs. 29.1% at Messiah University.

Loyola vs. Messiah University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Loyola and Messiah University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Messiah University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Loyola University Chicago's (70%).
• Graduates from Loyola University Chicago earn a median of about $11,200 more per year than Messiah University graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Loyola University Chicago graduates have a $989 lower median loan debt than Messiah University graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,989).
• Among borrowers, Loyola graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Messiah University graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More Messiah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Loyola students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 76%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.